Updated 1:05 am, Thursday, December 12, 2013

The 30-year-old Morton went 7-4 with a 3.26 ERA in 20 starts for the Pirates in 2013. Last season was his first with a winning record in the majors as he helped the Pirates return to the playoffs after a 21-year drought.

His deal includes a 2017 club option for $9.5 million.

Morton missed most of 2012 and the beginning of 2013 while recovering from elbow reconstruction surgery. His return bolstered a rotation that propelled the Pirates to 94 wins.

Morton gives the Pirates some needed depth and stability behind Francisco Liriano and Gerrit Cole. The Pirates still hope to sign free agent A.J. Burnett, who is mulling retirement. Left-hander Wandy Rodriguez, who sat out the final four months of the 2013 season due to arm trouble, is also expected to be back.